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Lyr 2 is one of the most flexible headphone amps available, offering both tube hybrid and all-solid-state options. What's more, you can even switch back and forth between tube and solid state as you like! Lyr 2 is a complete control center for your desktop system, with preamp outputs for powered desktop speakers, as well as a gain switch for use with virtually any headphone.

Amazing Flexibility for All Your Headphones

Order Lyr 2 with tubes, and discover what a high-power tube hybrid amp can do. Or get LISST and go 100% solid-state. Or do both! No other amp (well, except Mjolnir 2) offers you this unparalleled flexibility. You also get gain switching and a 100% regulated heater and high-voltage supply that makes Lyr 2 fully ready for efficient headphones and most IEMs. And you'll have tons of power—our Dynamically Adaptive output stage transitions seamlessly from Class A to Class AB, for excellent overall efficiency.

From IEMS and Orthos to Active Monitors

Lyr 2 offers two gain settings. The gain of 1 is good for most sensitive headphones, including efficient on-ear models and many IEMs, while the gain of 8 is ideal for inefficient orthodynamics and high-impedance headphones. In addition, the preamp outputs can easily be connected to powered speakers, for a complete desktop system.

Roll Your Own Sound

Like Lyr, Lyr 2 lets you "roll" many different tube types to your own preference. Use 6BZ7, 6DJ8, 6922, ECC88, 2492, and many other tube types to get your perfect sound. Or choose LISST for a 100% solid-state, high-power amplifier.

Made in USA

By “made in USA,” we mean made in USA. The vast majority of the total production cost of Lyr 2—chassis, boards, transformers, assembly, etc—goes to US companies manufacturing in the US. Our board house is 20 minutes away from our office in Newhall. Our chassis guys are just over the hill in the Valley.

Hey, this looks just the same as the old Lyr! Isn’t this just the same Schiit in the same box for a higher price tag? No. And the price tag is the same. Thanks for noticing so we can point that out here.

So what did you change?

A lot of things. First, a regulated 180V power supply for the tube stage, as well as separate regulated supplies for the current sources and DC servo. This allows us to offer a significantly lower noise floor than the original Lyr. Second, regulated supplies for DC heaters. Again, lower noise floor. A refined Dynamically Adaptive output stage that reduces high frequency distortion. And a new layout that allows for more optimized grounding.

So why didn’t you put all that crap in Lyr?

Development improves the breed. And surface mount. Without surface mount components, all that crap wouldn’t fit in Lyr 2. It certainly didn’t fit in Lyr.

I hate your humor, why can’t you be serious?

Because “audiophile” does not have to mean “born with a stick up your ass.” Plus, people without a sense of humor usually need a psychologist shipped to them with every product. We have not successfully developed a portable or automated psychologist, and our boxes are not large enough to fit a real one into.

What about the tubes? Can you roll ‘em?

Lyr 2 uses two 6BZ7 dual triodes, and yes–you can substitute any 6DJ8/6922/ECC88 type tube, including NOS, cryo-treated, voodoo-blessed, hand-assembled by elves, etc. Due to the DC heaters, we do not recommend using 6N1P tube types, or any tube that needs more than 415mA heater current.

What is this LISST voodoo? We put tubes into a industrial press and apply 650,000 tons of pressure, which compacts them into a solid-state device.

Just tell me what a LISST solid state tube is, already! It’s a pair of depletion-mode MOSFETs in a tube-sized can. That’s it. We’re not trying to replicate a tube. There’s no transfer function trickery going on.

That doesn’t tell me anything! If you were an engineer, it would. In short, LISST is a dual solid-state gain stage that runs at tube voltages. It can simply replace a tube in the Lyr 2 circuit. But it’s not trying to be like a tube. Plug them in, and Lyr 2 is a solid-state amp.

So does it sound like a tube? We ain’t touching that one. You tell us.

Are you saying that Lyr 2 is now quiet enough to run IEMs?

Many of them. Although Lyr 2 will never be as quiet as Asgard 2 or Magni 2, it’s pretty darn quiet in low gain mode. And really—think about what putting 6 watts directly to your eardrums means. Is that such a great idea?

Why the hell do you need a 6 watt headphone amplifier for IEMs?

You don’t. But you might want it for your orthos. Lots of people have lots of different headphones.

No, seriously, why do you need a 6 watt headphone amp, period?

Why the hell do you need 400 horsepower? Why the hell do you need bacon-wrapped hot dogs? Why the hell do you need anything that’s fun and exciting in life? Face it, you don’t need anything. You should renounce all your worldly possessions and become a monk.

I was told all amps sound the same. Aren’t you bullschiiting us?

If you believe that, there are plenty of options that cost a lot less than our stuff. Why waste your money? Go buy something else for $39, or use your iPod.

So can I leave my headphones plugged in all the time, or do I have to do the unplug-and replug thing every time I turn Lyr 2 off and on?

You can leave them plugged in all the time. Lyr 2 has a muting relay which delays output on first turn-on, and mutes the output on turn-off.

Does the volume control adjust the preamp outputs?

Yes.

Can I turn off the headphone outs when I’m using the preamp outputs?

The preamp outputs are automatically turned off when you plug in your headphones. Unplug your headphones to use the pre outs.

How do I switch the gain?

There’s a toggle switch on the back of the amp.

What is this marketing bullschiit known as a Dynamically Adaptive Output Stage?

It’s an ancient Teutonic magic trick, known only to 4 people in the world. It was passed down by Dieter Burnhard III to Mike Moffat through direct mental transfer.

No, really.

It’s a current-sensing adaptive output topology which allows the amplifier to dynamically adjust to the headphone load. The primary benefits are essentially single-ended Class-A operation for high-impedance headphones, moving seamlessly to push-pull Class A and finally into Class AB as current needs increase. This provides much higher overall efficiency.